MORE than 1,000 Birmingham families are being left in the cold in the run up to Christmas by a council heating contractor which has failed to fix boilers.

Morrison Plc, which is responsible for servicing and repairing boilers at 23,000 homes in the south of the city, has managed to fix only 70 per cent of the appliances within seven days of receiving a complaint.

The council’s housing watchdog has warned the company it could lose its £2.5 million contract with the local authority.

The firm has major service and repair contracts with dozens of councils, housing associations and private companies.

Coun Iain Bowen (Lib Dem, Acocks Green) spoke out against the service provided by the firm in Birmingham.

He said: “For a while I though this was Dodge City Kansas because here we have a right bunch of cowboys. It’s appalling. I wonder whether the issue is trying to cut costs or bad managers? Is it money or muppets?”

Other councillors described the performance as ‘shoddy’, ‘disappointing’ and ‘falling way short’.

The company agreed to write and apologise to all customers who had been forced to wait for repairs, and contact anyone who had complained in the last three months to ensure their boilers are now working.

Morrison, the managing director Des Morris and firm’s manager in charge of the Birmingham contract Dave Kendrick assured the committee that the service would be back on track by February as a result of the extra investment and resources.

Mr Morris said: “We recognise that the performance hasn’t been what it should be. We have invested in systems, processes and resources.

“Working in Birmingham provides Morrison with kudos. I believe we will come back in February having turned this round.”

He said that an extra 14 engineers and seven back office staff and a new management team have all been taken on to turn the performance round. And he added that a new parts supplier had been appointed to ensure that repairs can be carried out promptly.

Mr Kendrick added: “My mother lives in a council house in Birmingham and I have told staff that I expect our customers to be treated well because one of them might be her.”

Cabinet member for housing Coun John Lines (Cons, Bartley Green) pointed out that the other two gas contractors have performed well. “It was little less than a year ago that I called in Morrison directors detailing the problems and was given assurances.

“Against my better instinct I gave them a second chance and we are here again. Why should I believe them now? I now have to make a decision following this meeting.”